1998 Argentine Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Argentina
Grand Prix = Argentine
Date = 12 April
Year = 1998


Official name = XXI Gran Premio Marlboro Argentina
Race_No = 3
Season_No = 16
Location = Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Course_mi = 2.647
Course_km = 4.259
Distance_laps = 72
Distance_mi = 306.6
Distance_km = 190.6
Weather = Cloudy, dry-wet
Pole_Driver = David Coulthard
Pole_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Pole_Time = 1:25.852
Pole_Country = United Kingdom
Fast_Driver = Alexander Wurz
Fast_Team = Benetton-Playlife
Fast_Time = 1:28.179
Fast_L

Fast_Country = Austria
First_Driver = Michael Schumacher
First_Team = Ferrari
First_Country = Germany
Second_Driver = Mika Häkkinen
Second_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Second_Country= Finland
Third_Driver = Eddie Irvine
Third_Team = Ferrari
Third_Country = United Kingdom

The 1998 Argentine Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Autódromo Oscar Alfredo Gálvez, Buenos Aires on April 12, 1998. The race was won by Michael Schumacher, and represented his first win of the season. The race was also notable as it was the last time there was an Argentine Grand Prix.

Race Summary

At the start of the race, Michael Schumacher was caught out by Mika Häkkinen, while David Coulthard maintained his first place. Schumacher passed Häkkinen at the start of the second lap. On the same lap Eddie Irvine overtook Heinz-Harald Frentzen. By lap 4, Schumacher caught up with Coulthard, and on the next lap the Scotsman took the wrong line, and Schumacher went past. The two cars touched, and Coulthard slid off the track, and rejoined in sixth place. The race then became one between twice-stopping Schumacher and Häkkinen, who was on a one-stop strategy. Schumacher's plan proved to be the right one, as he emerged in front following his second stop, after Häkkinen lost time behind Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Behind Häkkinen and the two Ferraris, Jacques Villeneuve was under attack from Jean Alesi and Coulthard. When Esteban Tuero came into the pits, one of his tyres was missing. Eventually, one of the mechanics found it in the garage. Coulthard was slowed by gearbox problems and lost further ground when he tangled with Jacques Villeneuve, putting the Canadian out, while the Scot collected the solitary point for sixth place behind Eddie Irvine, Alexander Wurz and Sauber's Jean Alesi In the lead, Schumacher headed for victory.

Starting Grid

Classification

tandings After Grand Prix

Drivers
*1 Mika Häkkinen - McLaren-Mercedes - 26
*2 Michael Schumacher - Ferrari - 14
*3 David Coulthard - McLaren-Mercedes - 13
*4 Eddie Irvine - Ferrari - 7
*5= Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Williams-Mecachrome - 6
*5= Alexander Wurz - Benetton-Playlife - 6
*7= Jean Alesi - Sauber-Petronas - 2
*7= Jacques Villeneuve - Williams-Mecachrome - 2
*9= Johnny Herbert - Sauber-Petronas - 1
*9= Giancarlo Fisichella - Benetton-Playlife - 1

Constructors
*1 McLaren-Mercedes - 39
*2 Ferrari - 21
*3 Williams-Mecachrome - 8
*4 Benetton-Playlife - 7
*5 Sauber-Petronas - 3

Notes

*Fastest L

*Alexander Wurz's only fastest lap
*This was the last Formula 1 Argentine Grand Prix.
*Leaders: David Coulthard 1-4, Michael Schumacher 5-28 and 43-72, Mika Häkkinen 29-42.
*The two Saubers collided en route to the grid.

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Argentine Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1998
Previous_race_in_season = 1998 Brazilian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1998 San Marino Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1997 Argentine Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = None